AEOLUS | AE10094 | CD | 4026798100940
Louis Couperin Pièces de clavecin Vol 1
Suites in D Minor, A Major, F Major, G Major, A minor, Duretz Fantasie
Bob van Asperen (harpsichord)

Music from the Reign of the Sun King Shines Again!
A complete edition of Louis Couperin’s works only saw the light of day as late as 1936, several centuries after his death in 1661, though recordings of his engaging harpsichord music show that this neglect is by no means warranted. His beautifully written manuscript scores lack barlines, tempo indications and the other markings that performers rely upon (they look like quasi-improvised jottings), so Bob van Asperen and other modern interpreters need to reconstruct them, giving each movement its necessary characteristics. In most of these Suites free-form Preludes introduce a set of dances (typically Allemande, Courante, Sarabande & Gigue, with other dance-forms occasionally added, such as the characterful Branle de Basque from the Suite in F, or the Chaconnes from the Suites in D Minor, F & G). The 17th-century French harpsichord used is perfect for this repertoire and van Asperen is an accomplished advocate of this marvelous music. Extensive notes add to the listener’s enjoyment and understanding. – Stephen Schafer

DUTTON | CDLX7161 | CD | 765387716127
Arnell Symphony No 3, The New Age Overture
Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Martin Yates (conductor)

Big British Symphony Well Worth Hearing
The Dutton Epoch range presents new recordings of some fascinating British music that otherwise may remain little known. A classic example is this new release which caught my attention, not only for the solid craftsmanship and rich imagination of composer Richard Arnell (no, I’d never heard of him before this, either!) but also for the very high quality of the performance and the excellent audio quality. Written during the closing years of World War II, Arnell’s Third Symphony is powerful and very enjoyable, sustaining interest throughout its hour-long duration. Dramatic, lyrical and triumphant, it can hold its head up in the company of better-known symphonies by the likes of Vaughan Williams or Arnold Bax.

HARMONIA MUNDI | HMU807490 | CD | 093046749064CD
Threshold of Night
Conspirare, Company of Voice, Craig Hella Johnson

A Darker Kind of Night Music
Tarik O'Regan must be the envy of his young composer colleagues. With a growing catalogue of music recorded by leading choral interpreters and released on Europe's most prestigious labels, the two-time winner of the British Composer Award is at the top of his game. And all this just after his 30th birthday. As a singer myself, I envy the performers on this disc the chance to explore such wonderful sounds. Backed by luminous string passages and delicate tendrils of dissonance, Threshold of Night showcases impassioned vocal writing through settings of poetry by Emily Dickinson, Pablo Neruda and others. Although the music has much to offer fans of John Rutter and John Tavener, O'Regan is a darker composer than the former, with more spunk than the latter. He has found the ideal champions of his work in Company of Voices, and I've found some exciting new music to pitch to my choir. – Melissa Lesnie

Also available through Select:
HMU807469: Scattered Rhymes – Tarik O'Regan, Machaut, DuFay, Bryars.
COLCD 130: Voices – Choral Music of Tarik O'Regan

GLOSSA | GCDC80205 | CD | 8424562802056
Claros y Frescos Rios
Nuria Rial (soprano), Jose Miguel Moreno (vilhuela and Renaissance guitar)

Viva La Vilhuela!
These charming miniatures for soprano and vilhuela (Spanish lute) have enjoyed top billing on my iPod playlist for weeks. Renaissance and Baroque music enthusiasts will delight in the range of moods the program encompasses, some songs invoking Dowland's noble melancholy, others coloured with rustic regional rhythms. Catalonian soprano Nuria Rial is a gem of a discovery for me. Her light, sweetly expressive voice is perfectly suited to this intimate repertoire, while superb intonation and phrasing authentically enrich the songs' Spanish flavour. A gorgeous listening experience. – Melissa Lesnie

ZIG ZAG | ZZT080801 | CD | 3760009291768
Zelenka Missa Votiva ZWV18
Collegium 1704, Collegium Vocale 1704, Vaclav Luks (conductor)

Zestful Zelenka
I first encountered the vocal music of Jan Dismas Zelenka (1679-1745) when I sang in Sydney Chamber Choir many years ago and have remained a keen fan ever since. A slightly older contemporary of JS Bach and Handel, Zelenka worked for much of his life at the Dresden court, where he wrote much for little remuneration. If his heavy workload took its toll on his health, this can seldom be heard in his music which is typically exuberant and highly original. The Missa Votiva (1739), composed on thanksgiving following recovery from a bout of illness, receives a marvellous performance on this disc. Solo arias interspersed with large-scale choral movements are sung stylishly, with rich orchestral accompaniment. If you like the Masses of Bach, Haydn or Mozart, you’ll be interested in this recording. Highly recommended. – Stephen Schafer